Water heaters



May 2, 1961 R. F. DE LA LLAVE 2,982,284

WATER HEATERS Filed April 8, 1957 jnv erlior' Eoberfo Hernandez De La Llave 2,982,284 wATERrrEATERs Roberto Fernandez de la Llave, Luz Savinon 811, Col. de Valle, MexicoCity, Mexico Filed Apr. 8, 195 1,'Ser. No. 651,201 2 cmmef (c1. 126 -350) This invention relates to improvementsin watersheaters of the vertical type, employing heat source directed toward-the heat exchange elements. The invention is demonstrated in combination with an open-flame gasfir'ed water-heater, in which its advantages are best utilized, howeveris not limited to such.

The primary objectlof the invention .is the provision of a water-heater'utilizing an optimum percentage of the heat produced bylthe heat source. employed in transfer. to the-water,or,other fluid to be heated, and to prevent dissipations of heat, encountered in heaters of the priorart.

United States PatentD ending flame outlets 4 to produce a directional flame,

' closed, normal, predetermined pressure of the water in A further object of the invention is the provision of a hot water heater equipped with water-conduits comprisinghollow thin double-walled flat cells, of a minimum thickness and volume and large surface areas interconnected into an array of batteries and functioning as a fan-type flame substantially in a single plane.

Another object of the invention is the assembly of the cells of a heating unit of this invention relative to the distribution and positioning of the flames of the heating element in a cooperative manner to produce an optimum heat transfer.

Another object of the'invention is to orient the cells of the heating unit in a manner allowing for an easy access to them and their easy cleaning of soot and scale.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a water-heater cover, having means specifically adapted to the orientation of the cells of the heating unit for easy access, cleaning and servicing. I p

Othere objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following. description, claims, and accompanying drawings, in which the novel combinations and arrangements of means are described, it being the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of this disclosure and which do not constitute a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawngs:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, showing a heat exchange unit with parts in the center broken oif and including an exploded view of a representative burner and flame in position-relationship to its corresponding cell.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the heater of the invention, with parts broken off, showing the positional coordination of the heating batteries, with a swinging front cover, in the direction of access to them.

Like reference numerals denote like parts throughout this specification. The improvements of my invention comprise in combination a pilot burner 1, independently fed by lighting fuel from a gas inlet, a plurality. of conduits 3, interconnected and spaced in parallel, with a plurality of nozzles 2. The nozzles have thin rectangularpipe 7 against .the'gas valve simultaneously shuts oif the inlet andexit gas flow-to the heating unit-by forcing'the bulb 11 within the valve 9 into a closing position. Y A' decreased water pressure proportionally will 'increa se'the flow of gas. The heat exchangeunit comprises a plu rality of elongated heat exchange cells 5, arranged in vertical planes in batteries 6, with an inlet header 13 a'nd an outlet header 14 into an array 12. The cells are interconnected by pipes 15. The individual cells 5 are made of thin walled'materials of optimum heat exchange, such as steel sheets, preferably welded together, and are of a small'diameter, which predetermine itsfluid-holding capacity. Their purposes are to spread out the water to be heated overithe greatest possible heat-transfer area within the confined space of the water-heater. For the same reason, the batteries of the cells are spaced vertically in close proximity.

:There are several possible variations of arrangingthe flames of the heating unit relative to the cells and con 7 duits of the heat exchange unit for an optimum effect.

In Fig. 1 there are shown the conduits 3 of the heater in the same number as the cells 5 of each battery, arranged vertically, one flame below each cell, with each flame and each corresponding cell in the same plane. This is shown in the central exploded portion of Fig. ,1 where flame outlet 4 is disposed in the same plane as cell 5'. It is obvious that this directional arrangement may be changed without departing from the spirit of this invention. The thickness of the flame 4 is shown in the central portion of Fig. l to be the same as the thickness of p the cell 5. Thus, the heat of the flames forms an envelope around its corresponding cell. Such arrangements intend to direct each flame toward its corresponding heat exchange element in a manner insuring the optimum utilization of the heat emanated therefrom, and to prevent its wasteful escape through the flue 16 to a stack, not shown. The source of heat may be natural gas, liquefied petroleum gases, such as propane and butane gas, petroleum fuel, electrical coils and others, capable of producing a directional flame or heat source.

The volume of the heat exchange unit and its heat transfer areas, including that of the headers, must be calculated relative to the water inletand outlet-capacity, relative to the maximum heat production of the heating unit and relative to the gas input for optimum efliciency. The inlet header 13 is shown with four outlet pipes 15, each connecting one cell 5 in a battery 6 of cells, and each cell of each subsequent battery is connected with the adjacent cell of the previous battery, with the outlet header 14 connected to the cells of the last battery again by four pipes 15. These connections are shown only to demonstrate an operable mode of the invention and it is obvious that various cross and zig-zag arrangements of connecting the cells may be employed. The directions of the flame may be changed to different positions and/or Patented May 2, 196i simply cut out by additional valve means, if a decrease of heat of the outlet water is desirable.

The heat exchange cells are shown arranged in a vertical direction as shown by-an' arro'win-FigI 2, per pendicularlyto the front cover 17. This makes possible free access from the front of the heater totlieindividual cells for cleaning purposes. For this reason the cabinet has its front and 'side walls made of one piece 17, pivotally hinged to it at 18. This makes it possible to swing the front and sidewalls open and closed in one movement. In the cover, a peek-window 20 may be inserted for observation of the pilot light. Openings'for manual controls of the pilot light valve, for the main gas valve, and for any additional'valves to be employed to cut out portions of the heating element may be included. Except for these openings thecabinet is a Iclosed receptacle intended to maintain-the heat therein without undue losses. I

It should beunderstood, of'course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A hot water heater comprising in combination a watersupply under pressure, a gas supply under pressure, agas fired heating unit, a water outlet, a heat exchange unit conducting the water'supplied under pressure to said water outlet, a flue, said heat exchange unit including a plurality of hollow flat thin cells, spaced in parallel planes, said cells mounted in series in parallel rows, said rows connected into a plurality of vertically disposed batrow connected by a conduit pipe mounted normally to the planes of said walls, alternately at the tops and hottoms in the succession of pairs of walls, said heater unit including a plurality of gas conduits, at least one for each said battery, each said gas conduit provided with a plurality of nozzles, equipped with means to produce an open flame substantially in one plane directed vertically, at least one said nozzle for each one of said cells, said nozzles in assembly one below each cell, its respective said cells in the same plane, a rectangular cabinet enclosing said hot water heater and having a front door, said rows of cells arranged .within said cabinet perpendicularly to the said front door.

2. A fluid heater of a" vertical open flame type comprising in combination: a plurality of rows of hollow flat rectangular heat exchange cells, mounted spaced in parallel planes and connected for flow in series; a plurality of rows of source's of vertical open flames, arranged for emanating flames substantially in vertical spaced parallel planes; said plurality of rows of said sources of said flames spaced underneath said plurality of rows of said heat exchange cells with each one flame substantially in the plane of each one said cell, the thickness of each of said flames being equal to the thicknessof each said cell superimposing it, a rectangular cabinet enclosing said hot-water heater and having a front door, said rows of cells arranged within said cabinet perpendicularly to the said front door.

References Cited in the file'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 774,298 Wishart Nov. 8, 1904 1,128,534 Schutz Feb. 16, 1915 1,629,658 Fox May 24, 1927 2,577,055 Weldon Dec. 4, 1951 

